Tale of a Boon's Wife by Fartumo Kusow

Author:Fartumo Kusow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2017-09-19T14:01:04+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The villagers joined us to celebrate the end of the rebuild. Their support got us through the tough times, and Sidow slaughtered a calf and held a great feast to show our appreciation. They ate and prayed for us and for better days to come, but it took me six months after my family moved to feel at peace with my surroundings. By then the laughter of family and friends filled the house, dispelling the sadness and dread that had lived with us since the day we eloped.

The focus turned to something personal. Friends and neighbors in the village inquired if I was pregnant. “Nothing yet?” they whispered as if I were not there. Still others asked aloud.

My mother-in-law gave the same answer after each doubt-filled question. “If Allah wills.” That didn’t stop people from asking. The inquiries came often and always to her even if I was in the room. She repeated the same answer, no matter who asked or how many times they did. “It’s all in Allah’s hands.”

Even when I became pregnant, eight months after I was married, she said nothing. I gave her the news before I told Sidow, so she had the information next time the question arose. She only smiled, but never relayed the news.

“Tell them so they stop. Tell them I am having a baby.” I didn’t want the women in the village to think I was barren.

“Stop. Fadumo is coming.” My mother-in-law stared at the door.

Our neighbor Fadumo, a childless widow, joined us most afternoons for tea. Fadumo took the stool next to mine and wrapped a white shawl around her. “Not ready to give us little ones?” For the first time, she directed the question at me.

The sharp edges of her accusation pierced my skin. “I am pregnant.” I said it, very proud to show her I wasn’t barren.

Fadumo blinked twice and took a long sip of the tea. “This is very sweet,” she said, and drained the mug. She left quickly and without saying good-bye.

As soon as Fadumo disappeared behind the lemon trees, my mother-in-law turned to me. “Why did you tell her that?” It was the first time she’d ever been angry with me. “You don’t announce a baby before it’s time. You allow the baby to show when it’s ready. A baby that is mentioned before time never reaches term.”

I was taken aback by the absurdity of the statement. Surely saying you were pregnant did nothing to the fetus in the womb. “You should have told me!”

“I didn’t think I needed to tell you. Everyone knows.”

“I didn’t! I have never heard anything like that before. My mother’s friends always discussed who was pregnant and who had a baby and they always had their babies alive and well.”

My mother-in-law arched her brows to take in my naiveté. Clearly, she didn’t believe in women speaking about their pregnancies without consequences. “I have to call on the healers. I’ll be back soon,” she said.

I hoped Sidow would come home from

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